Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard: CRUSHING

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety & Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees, in that employees were exposed to a fall hazard. (a) Location: Centre Plaza, Pemberton Square, Boston On 05/15/03, The anchorages for personal fall arrest systems and descent control devices consisted of a singe 5/16 inch horizontal wire rope static line and this single line was improperly secured, thereby exposing employees to fall hazards. Among other means, feasible means of abatement would be: 1) Anchorage points for personal fall protection must be independent of the descent control device and its support system, and the horizontal lifeline must be adequate for the intended load. 2) Consult a qualified professional engineer to design a horizontal line and determine that it is capable of supporting the anchorage load factor by horizontal dynamic loading of the cable, based on the nominal strength of the wire rope and end terminations. 3) Ensure a competent person follows the manufacturer's instructions for wire rope clips regarding proper arrangement of the wire rope clips, correct spacing between each clip, and installation torque when forming turnback eyes. Always include the use of thimbles when forming eyes with wire rope clips, and ensure that malleable cast iron clips shall not be used. 4) Implement a comprehensive safety program that includes hands on employee training in the proper use of approved rigging, fall protection systems, and rescue techniques. 5) Perform an evaluation of all English speaking and non-English speaking employees to have full comprehension of the company safety training manual, manufacturer's instructions, warnings and design limitations of the RDS equipment and ANSI/IWCA I- 14.1 2001 standard, and related safety regulations. 6) Ensure supervisors are qualified and proficient in safe working procedures and training in the use of equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, warnings and design limitations. 7) Ensure a competent person inspects all anchor points and rigging being used prior to the start of work, before each use, and ensure all working practices and procedures for window cleaning operations are performed under supervision of a competent person. 8) Remove from service all wire rope with distorted structure such as crushed or kinking conditions. 9) Submit a Plan of Service to the building owner or his agent to address all safety concerns and to identify the use of anchorage points, prior to the service being performed. Nothing precludes the company from using alternative abatement methods which are as equally or more protective for the employee.